From the Andes to the Pacific Ocean: RÃ­os to Rivers' triumphant arrival to the RÃ­o Baker delta.

RÃ­os to Rivers is proud to announce the successful completion of our first exchange expedition to Chile's RÃ­o Baker. It was an incredible, enriching trip that gave students the ability think critically about all aspects of Chile's controversial hydroelectricity debate.

The students then traveled south to Cochrane, where members of Club NaÃºtico Escualo welcomed them into host families and joined them on a kayaking trip down the RÃ­o Baker. Language was a considerable barrier, but as the young kayakers paddled, they discovered other ways to communicate. â€œThe river became our common language,â€ said Riley Ames, a junior at CRMS.

"It was one thing to learn about dams from an analytic perspective, but totally different to experience the river and meet the people who would be affected." Cleo Ulatowski, CRMS senior.

The power inherent in uniting young kayakers to learn about culture, the environment, and the value of free-flowing rivers has surpassed all expectations. It's been a fantastic learning experience for all of us, students, leaders, teachers, filmmakers, and writers.

"Thank you to everyone who made this possible. And this is only the beginning!" Yonathan Vargas, Club NaÃºtico Escualo

Special thank you to the Chilean Army for transporting all of our kayaking gear and rafts between Cochrane and Caleta Tortel!